Improved broom



diluted tatet .aan pint.

Letters atent No. 100,343, dated March 1, 1870.

IMPRovD "BRoolvL The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patenband making of the same.

To'all whom it may concer-n:

- Be it known that I, THOMAS WALTER, of city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have inventedcertaiu new and useful Improvements in Brooms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to vthe accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, and i'n which- Figure'l is a view in proved brooms; and

4Figure 2, a transverse section of the same at the line x a: of iig. l.

The object of my inventionv is to provide a broom'- liead in which the reeds or splints may be arranged either vertically or with more or less spread, according to the purposefor 'which the broom is required; held firmly in this position when so arranged, and readily tightened whenever necessary; to which ends My invention consists-V First, in the combination, withthe reeds or splints, of bearing-strips, clamping-strips, and boltsz in such manner as to hold the reeds firmly in position, and to allow for tightening them if required, or for removing and renewing worn or'defective portions.

Second, in the combination of a socket for the reception of the broom-handle with a clamp for holding the socket in position, and for tightening the bearing of the reeds and strips, as hereinafter more fully set orth.

Reeds or splints A, of proper length, are doubledover bearing strips B B, which I prefer to'make of greater thickness on their lower than on their upper sides, as shown, in the drawings, in order to give properl spread to the reeds or splints, and prevent the broom from being too'stitl'.

Two or more of t-hcse strips, each carrying a proper number of reeds or splints for the length of the head required, are, placed side 'by side, a blank strip, B',

vbeing by preference placed between them to prevent the inner lengths of reeds coming in contact, and to more evenly spread their free ends.`

If a stiter broom is required, the blank strip or strips may be provided with reeds or splints in the same manner as the bearing-strips.f

The blank strips and bearing-strips are then placed in a vise between clamping-strips C C, whose inner sides are beveled to correspond to the inclination of the sides of the bearing-strips B B, and clamped firmly together by bolts E and nuts.

A toppiece, D, is then secured upon the clampingstrips C (i, and I generally secure very light metal perspective'of one of my implates, d, upon the ends of the strips and top piece, to make a neat finish.

The broom is now completed and ready for the handle, which can be inserted either iu a hole in the top piece D o r in a separate socket attached thereto.

To insure more perfect uniformity in the surface, and spring of the reeds or splints, and at the same tiineto provide a secure and convenient receptacle for the handle, l cast a handle socket, f, upon-a' plate, F,

slightly lessfin length than the width of the top piece D of the broom-head,- a'nd having a downward projecting flange', f1, vto rest against one of the clampingstrips G. l

'lit's or prongs f2 are formed upon the inner sides I of the plate F and flange f1, to hold the same more tirmly in position ont-he top piece and clampingstrip.

A clamp, F', having a flange, j, torest upon and hold down the top of the plate F, isv thon placed against the clamping-strip, on the side of the broomhead opposite `to the fiange f1, and the two are connected and clamped together bya screwbolt,'E, which passes through slotted holes in the iiange andclamp, and is provided with a propel' nut.

- By the above-described construction it will be seen that I provide a simple and secure connection of the ends and head, holding the former firmly imposition, and preventingv any side motion' o'r slackness, as well as enabling thev strips to be drawn more tightly together, or to be taken out and replaced whenever occasion may require.

I do not limit myself vto the use of strips wedgeshaped or tapering in their cross-section, the object of this form being, as before stated, only to give spread or taper to the reeds, but for certain purposes the reeds should be parallel, and in such cases strips of rectangular cross-section can be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

' qWhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the reeds, or their equivalents, Athe bearing-strips B B', the clamping-strips C, and the bolts and nuts, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the adjustable broom-head,

the socketed plate F, and the clamping-.plate F', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

` In testimony whereof I' have hereunto subscribed my name.

Witnesses: THOMAS WALTER.

J. SNOWDEN BELL, HENRY BALDWIN, J r. 

